SAMSAM MAGIC PLACES AND SPACES

WHY DOES ART PLAY SUCH A BIG ROLE AT SAMSAM YAO NOI?

“Art is very important when we talk about the resources that we wanted to use to make SAMSAM special and genuinely different, in Yao Noi as well as other locations. When I find places that affect me deeply and such affection remains for a lasting period of time, I like to create some space, like erect some architecture or use and existing structure to create the opportunity of unique experiences for myself and for anyone that stays there. It was only logical then to use such spaces to display parts of our art collection there to make it more personal to ourselves as well as to give direct access to our kind of personality for every guest to see and to conclude on their own. It is meant to maximize your quality of time and opportunity to select when you are here by offering intellectual and emotional challenges at many walls and in many corners of what is already a beautiful space. When you view these pieces, they may trigger you to ask questions, about yourself, about the artwork or the artist. They may make you think about what is being asked or described by the painting, sculpture or other art form in front of you, they may just trigger emotions. These are the reasons why I collect art in the first place – so you can hold on any time and anywhere to go into recess or inner dialogue, and have quality time for yourself or quality dialogue with people around you. Here at Yao Noi, we have selected pieces that fit the atmosphere and highlight artists mainly  with a regional focus on “Asian Contemporary Art”. Whilst in other locations we do more focus on more mainstream contemporary movements like abstract expressionism, pop art or Gutai minimalism.”

WHAT FASCINATES YOU ABOUT ART?

“First of all, what inspires me about art is that I’m absolutely incapable of producing it myself, and have always admired people that have the inspiration and the talent and skill to express their power and ideas by developing their own language through art. Art is one of the most beautiful engines of societal and human progress, asking questions that are relevant in each period of history, very much reflecting on it, and pushing forward the development of human intellect and life’s philosophy. Art is a reflection of life: commenting on it, questioning it, and criticizing it and art is just art. I usually have dialogues with the best pieces of art I see, mixed of visual impressions, thoughts and emotions. Such dialogues never stopp, because every time you look at a piece, you’ll discover some new thing, new aspect, or it triggers new thoughts, new questions or new emotions, and this is really what inspires me about art. Last but not least, if mankind continually proves to be grossly incompetent of learning from history, art is competent to learn from it.”

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH PIECES TO DISPLAY?

“First, it is important to note that art usually is displayed in museums, so the people seeing it are specific groups that are seeking out that experience. That also means that the art does not have the opportunity to speak to people who would not go to the museum. Also, people in museums spend very little time, usually no more than seven seconds, in front of one art piece because there are so many pieces and visitors. We think in a space like Yao Noi, which is dedicated to be a quiet and contemplative place, guests during their hopefully joyful and recharging vacations may consciously or sub-consciously end up with a little bit more time in front of one of our pieces of artwork during their hopefully joyful and recharging vacations.

Since guests would be here at SAMSAM for a few weeks they would actually be living with art around them. What a wonderful complement with the complex and pure nature and tropical life around it. It inspires, it is very special. We want to keep this art world alive and as dialogues continue, we will be changing the exhibits from time to time, always striving to make sure that the displayed artwork is the most perfect for a particular area or space in just that moment of time or at just that part of the dialogue.”